Seattle Animal Shelter news and events

Archives for August 2012

SEATTLE —The Seattle Animal Shelter is bulging at the seams with cute cats and adorable kittens ready for adoption. To entice prospective owners, adoption fees are waived for cats and reduced for kittens through September 9, 2012. The offer is made possible by a grant from the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation.

With this special offer, for a cat (6 months or older) adopters pay only the cost of the license, if applicable. Adoption fees for kittens are “two for the price of one” (plus licenses, if applicable), a savings of $135 for two female kittens. Regular adoption fees are available online at: http://www.seattle.gov/animalshelter/adoption-fees.htm. License fees are required for Seattle residents and are $27 per cat.

These discounts apply to cats and kittens in the shelter and in foster care. Foster care cats and kittens will be showcased at an event at Meadowbrook Community Center on September 8, noon-3 p.m.

“It is definitely kitten season here at the Seattle Animal Shelter,” says Don Jordan, Seattle Animal Shelter director. “We especially want to get our adult cats, which are often overlooked this time of year, into loving forever homes.”

The Seattle Animal Shelter is open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions. It is located at 2061 – 15th Ave. W. The phone number is (206)386-PETS(7387). Animals available for adoption can be viewed at www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

Interbay Urban Center (IUC) is proud to partner with the Seattle Animal Shelter and the Seattle Humane Society to repeat a community favorite event, the “Pet Adopt-a-thon!” The goal of this event is to find loving, permanent homes for foster animals. The adoptathon will be held on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, at the Interbay Urban Center located at 1827 15th Ave. W. near the Whole Foods. The event will take place in the space between Peet’s Coffee and Tea and Whole Foods and will run from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Numerous cats and dogs from both the Seattle Animal Shelter and the Seattle Humane Society’s Max Mobile will be available for adoption.

Community focused, the Interbay Urban Center’s goal is to host different events that the surrounding neighborhoods can enjoy. “We want to be known as a place where the community can get together and have a good time, which is why events like the adoptathon are so fun and important,” says Elizabeth Peck, Community Marketing Manager for the IUC.

These three organizations wish to continue to spread the word about the joys and value of adopting shelter pets and saving lives. So, if you have ever considered owning a pet or want to make room for another furry friend and companion, this is a wonderful opportunity to come out to the IUC and see these wonderful pets that are available for adoption.

SEATTLE – With the weather expecting to hit 95 degrees this week, the Seattle Animal Shelter reminds pet owners to exercise good judgment and use common sense when it comes to protecting their pets from the summer heat.

“Each summer, the animal shelter receives hundreds of calls about pets locked in cars on hot summer days,” says Seattle Animal Shelter Director Don Jordan. “Many pet owners are unaware that cars left in direct sunlight turn into lethal ovens, reaching fatal temperatures of 130 degrees or more within just a few minutes. Even dogs left locked in cars in the shade with the windows cracked on hot days are at risk of brain damage or death. Dogs must cool themselves through panting and their systems can’t handle high temperatures.”

If you must travel with your pet, Jordan advises carrying water for your pet, and avoiding trips where you have to leave the pet in the car. “It’s not worth the risk,” he says.

Jordan offers the following tips for protecting pets during hot weather:

Never leave your animal chained or penned up directly in sunlight. Provide a shady area where the animal can retreat to such as a dog house, porch or shady tree, and always provide cool water.

If you must leave an animal indoors, open the windows, keep a fan running, provide plenty of water, and if possible, leave them in a cool location.

Never leave dogs or cats unattended in a closed, locked car. Temperatures can exceed 130 degrees in a matter of minutes. Animals do not perspire like humans; they cool themselves through their lungs by panting. Hot air can lead to brain damage or death. Also, be aware that vinyl seats in vehicles get hot under animals’ feet and prevents them from perspiring through their paws. Remember, with the movement of the sun, a vehicle originally parked in the shade may soon be in direct sunlight.

Avoid overexerting your animal in hot weather. Exercise is fine when taken in moderation, but obesity, old age, underlying disease and previous bouts of heat stroke can predispose an animal to the condition.

Feathered friends:

Take caution and place the bird’s cage away from direct sunlight during the intense heat of the afternoon.

Provide water and fruits and vegetables with high moisture content.

Pet owners can be held criminally liable for committing cruelty to animals if a pet dies, or is found suffering from heat prostration. If you see an animal that may be in need of assistance or if you have questions, contact Seattle Animal Shelter at (206) 386-PETS (7387).

PHOTOS of shelter dogs keeping cool:

Mason, an adoptable Labrador retriever mix, playing with a tennis ball in the pool. This is a great way to get dogs who don’t like water to cool off their pads.

Friday, an adoptable mastiff mix, hanging out in the shade with fresh water.

Man Man, an adoptable German Shepherd, playing in the pool and sharing the water with everyone!

SEATTLE — As part of its ongoing outreach efforts to find suitable permanent homes for foster animals, the Seattle Animal Shelter hosts a cat adoptathon on Saturday, August 11, 2012, at the Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave. E. The event runs from noon to 3 p.m. and features numerous cats of different breeds.

“With our monthly neighborhood adoptathons, we hope to continue to spread the word about the joys and value of adopting shelter pets and saving lives. If you have room in your home and your heart for an orphaned animal, this is a great opportunity to come and see some of the wonderful pets available from our foster-care parents,” says Don Jordan, Seattle Animal Shelter director.

Adoption prices range from $45 to $135 (plus applicable license fees) and include:
• Initial vaccinations
• Deworming
• Feline Leukemia testing
• Certificate for free health exam at local veterinarians
• Spay or neuter
• Microchip (About the size of a grain of rice, the microchip is injected under the cat’s skin, providing an identification number associated with that animal. Animal shelters can then “scan” a lost animal and retrieve its records from the microchip.)

To help reduce the number of animals euthanized, the Seattle Animal Shelter has a foster-care program to rehabilitate sick and immature dogs and cats. Donations from the city’s “Help the Animals Fund” pay for veterinary care for these animals while they are being fostered.

The Seattle Animal Shelter is open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions and licensing. It is located at 2061 – 15th Ave. W. The phone number is (206)386-PETS(7387). Animals available for adoption can be viewed online at http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org